i TV Pinoy

Source: gmanews.tv
-- The Philippine Patriots used a blistering 20-5 run at the start of the fourth period to secure their fifth straight win, a 77-61 thrashing of the Thailand Tigers, in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Championship Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Holding a 47-43 lead, entering the final 10 minutes of play, the Patriots backed up that scoring blitz with a choking full court defense that stunned the visiting Tigers, who only manage to score eight in the payoff period after keeping the game close for three quarters.

"Thailand was not a pushover team, they really made it hard for us but good thing we were aggressive on offense during the fourth quarter," said Alas, who chalked up win number six in seven matches to strengthen their hold of the top spot.

The Tigers dropped further at the cellar with a 2-6 mark.

RP import Jason Dixon imposed his 6-foot-10 frame inside the paint to walk away with a game-high 19 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds and blocked three shots, the last one thwarting a dunk attempt by Thai reinforcement Chaz Twain Briggs with 3:15 left in the match.

Elmer Espiritu came off the bench and supported Dixon with 10 points while Brandon Powell and Nonoy Baclao combined for 18 markers.

Briggs paced Thailand with 18 points but was held to just six in the first half. He also a grabbed 22 rebounds and issued four assists while regular started Attaporn Lertmalaiporn added 17 points.

Briggs’ defensive efforts kept he game close as his inside presence intimidated the Patriots.

Despite Briggs’ interior defense, the hosts still managed to post a 31-26 halftime lead despite shooting 37 percent from the field.

The Patriots gun for their sixth straight win when they face Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma on Dec. 5 at The Arena in San Juan then will visit the Brunei Barracudas at the Brunei Indoor Stadium on Dec. 13.